Vol. 518 No. 4
73 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether systems of continuous assessment can be developed for use in the leaving certificate; and the plans, if any, he has to develop this approach. [11823/00]
91 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department will introduce assessment, including oral and aural examination, examination of project work and examination of practical work in all relevant subjects to provide for an assessment of a broader range of student work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11713/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 91 together.
A system of continuous assessment could of course be developed for use in the certificate examinations but it must be realised that there are serious practical constraints in releasing teachers from school if such assessment were to be conducted externally. Continuous assessment is in reality only a viable option if it is school based.
The issue of teacher release and the consequent disruption in schools also places a practical constraint on the development of alternative modes of assessment generally.
A discussion paper was prepared by my Department in relation to assessment issues at junior certificate as a further contribution to the consultation process begun with the circulation of the Junior Cycle Review Progress Report by the NCCA.
The discussion paper notes that in the case of the leaving certificate assessment leads to certification for selection and that the integrity of such a system must be beyond question. Consequently in such a high stakes environment the concerns of teachers in relation to participation in school-based assessment are understandable. The paper argues that in the case of the junior certificate there should be scope for change because its value no longer lies predominately in providing certification for selection.
